Audio 5:29
Gillard delivers 5th Closing the Gap report

Naomi Woodley
Wed 6 Feb 2013, 1:08 PM AEDT

The Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the first of six closing the gap targets will be achieved this year, but eliminating disadvantage amongst Indigenous Australians is still a very difficult task. She's warned that some policies of the Northern Territory and Queensland Governments could erode progress. The Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he shares some of her concerns, but would like to see more information about school and work attendance reported.

Transcript

ELEANOR HALL: The Prime Minister Julia Gillard told Parliament today that there remains a "massive and unacceptable" gap between the living standards of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Julia Gillard said the Government will meet the first of six of its Closing the Gap targets this year but that an enormous task still remains.

The Prime Minister took particular aim at the alcohol policies put in place by some state governments, warning that they could erode the progress that's already been made.

The Coalition leader Tony Abbott says he shares some of the Government's concerns.

From Canberra, Naomi Woodley reports.

NAOMI WOODLEY: When the former prime minister Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations, he promised the Government would provide the Parliament each year with an update on efforts to reduce Indigenous disadvantage.

JULIA GILLARD: I am here today because the Indigenous and non-indigenous people of this country have decided to walk the path of reconciliation together.

NAOMI WOODLEY: In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments set six targets, including the ultimate goal of closing the life expectancy gap for Indigenous Australians within a generation.

That is still a long way off.

But the Government says it'll meet the first of the other targets, on time, this year. The Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin says by the end of 2013 all Indigenous four-year-olds in remote communities will have access to early childhood education.

JENNY MACKLIN: We certainly need to do a lot better on attendance. No question about that. But of course first of all you have to have the pre-schools for children to go to. And that's been done.

NAOMI WOODLEY: Julia Gillard says progress towards the other targets, which have longer time-frames, is mixed.

Reducing child mortality rates and improving the number of Indigenous people who achieve year 12 or equivalent qualifications within a decade are within sight.

The goal of better employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians is also on track.

JULIA GILLARD: With the rate of non-indigenous employment standing at 72 per cent, it is clear a massive and unacceptable gap remains.

NAOMI WOODLEY: But after some encouraging signs, efforts to improve the literacy and numeracy of Indigenous children appear to have faltered in 2012.

JULIA GILLARD: I cannot conceal that these literacy and numeracy results are a source of personal disappointment. Last year's optimism gives way this year to a starker realism. Yet, that is how Closing the Gap will be. The setbacks that make us aim higher, the successes that make us glad we did.

NAOMI WOODLEY: Julia Gillard says closing the gap is part of a proud Labor tradition.

NAOMI WOODLEY: And she's accused the conservative governments in the Northern Territory and Queensland of putting in place policies that run the risk of undoing the progress already made.

JULIA GILLARD: I have a real fear that the rivers of grog that wreak amongst Indigenous communities are starting to flow once again. The Government will take action in response to any irresponsible policy changes that threaten to forfeit our hard-won gains.

NAOMI WOODLEY: Speaking before the parliamentary address, the Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce said he doubted the sincerity of the Labor Government.

BARNABY JOYCE: We see different members from the Labor Party with different views on this and I can, it would be interesting to find the views now of Nova Peris on this issue, and Senator Trish Crossin.

NAOMI WOODLEY: But in his official reply in the chamber, the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he shared the Prime Minister's concern about the Northern Territory Government's decision to scrap the banned drinker register,

TONY ABBOTT: And I note that this was an initiative of the former Howard Government, particularly sponsored by the former minister, Mr Mal Brough and it should be preserved.

NAOMI WOODLEY: Tony Abbott says reconciliation, and a commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians is not just a Labor goal.

TONY ABBOTT: Reconciliation is also a proud Coalition tradition. A 1967 referendum, such a landmark in our nation's life, was a Coalition initiative. And this current project, this vital closing the gap project, it's not a Labor project, it's not a Liberal project. If it is to succeed it must be a national project.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The Opposition Leader told the House he appreciated the Prime Minister's frankness about the disappointing statistics on literacy and numeracy in the past year.

He says it would be most useful for the report to also include statistics on school and work attendance by Indigenous Australians.

TONY ABBOTT: We should know who is present and who is absent every day.

NAOMI WOODLEY: The push for a referendum to change the constitution to formally recognise Indigenous Australians has been delayed, with the Government instead proposing Parliament pass an act of recognition.

Tony Abbott says he's hopeful the bill will soon be passed with the unanimous support of the Parliament.